CONVALESCENT HOME

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 125, 30 May 1930, Page 14

CONVALESCENT HOME

PROPOSAL APPROVED

OUTSIDE HELP DESIRED

It was agreed by the Wellington Hos-1 pital Board yesterday '' That it is de- j sirablo in the interests of patients, and in accordance with modem hospital practice, that an extension be made of the convalescent home system; that a committee be appointed to consider the question and report to tho board." In moving tho resolution, Mrs. S. Bennett said the provision of a convalescent home, especially for discharged patients after certain illnesses and operations was one of tho most pressing needs of tho day. Many patients would benefit by a fortnight or three weeks' stay iv such an institution. Numbers of men who had no homes had to go to cheap boarding-houses, where they could not get proper food or attention, and" the result frequently was that they had to be readmitted to the hospital. An appeal was made by Mrs. Bennett to generous citizens to assist in this humanitarian Work. Mr. A. J. M' Curdy, in seconding the motion, expressed the conviction that a convalescent home was an absolutely essential adjunct to a modern hospital. The position as stated by Mrs. Bennett was quite correct. Patients were often discharged from the hospital and had subsequently to be readmitted because of tho non-existence of a convalescent home where they could get further attention before resuming their ordinary work. 1' IMPERATIVELY REQUIRED. " Mr. J. H. Helliwell thought Mrs. Bennett was to be commended for bringing this matter before the board. He was sure there was not a member of the board who did not feel that such an institution was imperatively required. Such a deserving objectmust appeal to all public-spirited citizens; He suggested the creation of an endowment fund for the purpose. Mr. G. Pttherick endorsed what had been said by previous speakers. The members of the Social Service Committee realised tho need for such an institution. The proposal had the hearty support of-the Medical Superintendent. Mr. B. Egley expressed the opinion that everyone must favour tbo estab-, lishment of a convalescent home; indeed, the movement might.be almost regarded as a national one. He suggested that the committee might avail itself of the valuable advice of Mr. Beck, Superintendent of Child Welfare. Mrs. J. E. Preston, as one who was much interested in convalescent .homes, hoped that charitably-disposed citizens would come forward and assist in this matter. • ■ '■ The chairman (Mr. C. M. Luke) supported tho proposal, but pointed out that the board had already passed its estimates for the coming year. The General Committee might, however, consider the question whether outside cooperation could be-secured, and thus enable a start,to be made in this very desirable direction. Tho motion was adopted.